Madison, Wis. – The WBA Foundation’s televised 2026 gubernatorial debate, which was originally scheduled for Oct. 9, has been canceled. Based on legal precedent, for the foundation to air a debate, multiple candidates must participate. Two invitations were sent and both had to be accepted in order to have a debate. That did not happen.
The WBA Foundation, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA), hosted its first televised gubernatorial debate in 1990. Since then it is proud to have hosted a televised debate in every Wisconsin gubernatorial and U.S. Senate contest. Radio and TV stations across the state have a long history of participating in and in airing debates on their stations.
The WBA Foundation extends a heartfelt thank you to the moderator, Jill Geisler, consultant Joyce Garbaciak, panelists, data team, and the management and staff at Milwaukee PBS for all the work that was put into the preparations for this year’s debate.
The WBA Foundation hopes to host a U.S. Senate debate in the 2028 election cycle.
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Thank you to the Wisconsin Counties Association for its long-time sponsorship of the debate.
The WBA is a non-partisan trade association representing radio and television broadcasters across the state.
